Boilard retains seat in Hooksett recount

By RYAN O'CONNORSunday News Correspondent

HOOKSETT - The total number of checkmarks for each candidate increased by four, so Amy Boilard maintained her seven-vote margin of victory over Jack Sweeney following Saturday's recount in the Hooksett School Board election.

Sweeney, a candidate for one of three open three-year seats on the board, had requested the recount of the 1,841 ballots cast by voters at the March 11 election.

Boilard had originally been credited with 691 votes, but the recount revealed she actually garnered 695. Likewise, Sweeney's tally increased from 684 to 688.

"After the election, it was hard not knowing if I had won or not, but I think waiting a week and having the recount come out the same way is wonderful and a testament to those who run our elections," said Boilard. "I'm anxious to get started, and I think there's a lot of work for us to do ... this is a good group and we should be able to work well together."

The revamped seven-member Hooksett School Board, featuring five new faces, meets for the first time Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

School Board incumbents David Pearl and John Lyscars assisted with the recount, as did Joanne McHugh, who won the board's open one-year seat on March 11.

Mike Berry, who earned one of the other three-year seats, observed, but did not participate in the recount, according to Boilard.